Harvey Fierstein Reveals Which Show-Stopping HAIRSPRAY Number Was Almost Cut from Show

In a new interview in The Hollywood Reporter, HAIRSPRAY LIVE!'s Harvey Fierstein and Jennifer Hudson spoke about the upcoming live broadcast on NBC. Fierstein, who will portray Edna, the mother of Tracy Turnblad, will also adapt the book for the small screen. Hudson, who recently made her Broadway debut in THE COLOR PURPLE, takes on the role of Motormouth Maybelle.

Although the majority of HAIRSPRAY fans are most familiar with the 2007 movie featuring Queen Latifah in the role of Maybelle, Hudson hopes to put her own spin on the character. "I like to have my own touch, my own approach on it, but I do like to reference it and look back just to get the gist of it," she says.

While her big Act Two number "I Know Where I've Been," is a certified show-stopper, Fierstein reveals that it almost never made it into the original Broadway musical. "The original producers said it's a light comedy and we can't do heavy here," revealed Fierstein, who along with composer/lyricist Marc Shaiman, lyricist Scott Wittman and librettist Mark O'Donnell refused to give in. "We just kept fighting and fighting. We had a producer who said, 'Before we go to Broadway, you're taking that out.' And of course it stopped the show every night."

Adds Hudson of the moving anthem, "That song is not a song to me. It's a movement, it's a feeling, it's more of an emotional journey. So I'm curious where that's going to lead me."

Read the article in full HERE

Based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, "Hairspray Live!" takes place in 1962 Baltimore. Plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on "The Corny Collins Show," a local TV program. When against all odds Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight and meets a colorful array of characters, including the resident dreamboat, Link; the ambitious mean girl, Amber; an African-American boy she meets in detention, Seaweed; and his mother, Motormouth Maybelle, the owner of a local record store. Tracy's mother is the indomitable Edna, and she eventually encourages Tracy on her campaign to integrate the all-white "Corny Collins Show."

"Hairspray Live!" stars Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Kristin Chenoweth, Martin Short, Derek Hough and exciting newcomer Maddie Baillio.

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (producers of all of NBC's live musicals and the upcoming "A Few Good Men Live!") serve as executive producers of "Hairspray Live!" Live television director Alex Rudzinski will join director Kenny Leon ("The Wiz Live!") for "Hairspray Live!" Harvey Fierstein will provide a new teleplay and Jerry Mitchell ("Kinky Boots," "On Your Feet") will serve as choreographer for the live production with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman ("Smash" and Broadway's upcoming "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory").

Photo by: Chris Haston/NBCUniversal